"You'll get bored of it, and then you'll hate it. That's what happens."

I simply turned and smiled. "Heh, you obviously don't know me very well, do you?"

Even when I was small, people used to tell me that I'd end up working for SEGA. I was crazy about the blue hedgehog from age six, and it's safe to say I haven't stopped since. I just smiled, though. It just seemed to be one of those things people said. I always knew that I wanted to, but I lacked the confidence for a long time, and as a result simply thought I lacked the appropriate skills. I've been in the online community for all of my teenage years, developing all aspects of my artwork mainly for the basis of showing my love for the franchise and the ethos of the series to others. The day I was hired, I knew things were starting to look up for me. I'd always made a promise to myself that I would do my best to make an impact however I could.

It wasn't before long that my tenacity rolled me onto every Sonic-related project. Before this, I'd had my name down on three Sonic-related port projects. And then I was called over to take a seat, and watch something that no testers in the office had yet seen. Needless to say, upon seeing it for the first time- even in its early state- I couldn't help but shed a tear. I suppose I am retro in the sense that I have been a fan for twenty years, but never a Retro Purist; I started to remember days when, as a child, I would close my eyes, or lay and daydream about how Sonic's world would look if it were real. The lush greenery of Green Hills, the acrid smoke and pink waters of Chemical Plant, the Death Egg slowly rising through the thick clouds, sprawling hundreds of Eggrobos into the clear blue skies, amidst the beautiful crumbling ruins of the temple of Sky Sanctuary. And yet here I was, as if someone had picked the thoughts out of my brain and realised them better than I ever possibly could. They were asking me what I thought, and I instantly thought that it was the beginning of something beautiful.

It wasn't before long that I was assigned to Generations. I was elated, but I instantaneously aware that this was a game changer. It's always easy to think like a fan in your own red sneakers. Everyone can do that all day long, but to me- and to quite a few of us on the team- it felt like a responsibility. That I felt I owed it to every Sonic fan- past, present and future- to make this game the best it could possibly be. So I tested it as hard as I could, for as long as I could, every single day. The more I played it, the more the opposite of what people were telling would happen took place instead- I found myself leaping out of bed every morning, and speedrunning to work simply to play the game!

But that's not the things that made me smile the most. Again, I have been around here for quite some time now, and the thing that's always separated this community is the animosity created about who likes what games and why, and outside of the community quite a few people just saw bad Sonic games- fellow testers included- and that did deter some people; I first experienced it in the office. As I was playing, people would come over and watch- amazed- at how the game worked. People loved it and wanted to come and play. I would even find people in or around my seat at lunch of break times asking to play or stealthily sneaking in a quick Green Hill or two. The buzz was amazing. This then escalated to online teasers, which was met with an amazing response- more so than ever before- but the best experience for me was Eurogamer. I had the privilege of going for the entire weekend, as work had scored me some tickets (For working too much!), and without second thought, I instantly gunned it for the Sonic Generations booth. I missed a few incidences, but there were sceptics who were instantly transformed into believers after a single run of Green Hill, mums and dads who hadn't picked up a Mega Drive controller since the 90s were there and loving it. But what really pinned it for me was a really young boy- could have been no more than five years old- who knew nothing about Sonic games at all, pick up the controller and play Classic Green Hill and loved it to bits.

Watching that little by play made me a shed a tear or two, too. As I watched him beam (and his parents finding it increasingly difficult to actually leave the chair to give other people a turn) as he played, it reminded me of when I first saw Sonic- bright and loud- leap over bridges and traverse those loops, hearing the music, and having my uncle hand me the Mega Drive controller for that very first time and being absolutely hooked from that very moment. I could see that moment in him, too. And I certainly had not seen that in a very, very long time. It was a beautiful thing.

The versatility of the game and its massive accessibility- whether you remembered Classic or Modern Sonic or not- was proving a real hit, and just hearing the praise and excitement was just heart-warming for everyone, as well as myself! People loved Sonic again, and it was fantastic!

It wasn't before long that I was asked to do lots of other things surrounding Generations- a lot of it I cannot get into, but it was an honour and a privilege to be considered and asked for my opinion and be thanked for it. (Everyone now knowing I am the massive fan that I am now!) But it was just amazing to be able to provide my input, and watch the game change every other day, knowing that I could look at specific platforms and elements of the game and to know that I helped put them there! There are so many secrets and inside jokes littered throughout the game that even now as I play makes me laugh.

I couldn't have asked to be on a better team, or on a better project (Because there isn't one!) Generations became like a child to me. Watching it grow and change every single day. Sometimes it made you mad, sometimes it was stressful, and sometimes it needed to be criticised as well as praised. And before long, it was time to let it grow up and release it into the world to do its own thing.

When I play Generations, I don't see just a game. I see the love, hard work and determination created by a large team who wanted to do nothing more than the very best for all of their fans. There are not enough words that I know that could ever truly decipher how I felt or feel now about being able to be a part of something so massive. Everyone- Generations of fans, generations of creativity, generations of developers, generations of programmers from all over the world, creating something from the heart for the Generations of fans across the globe.

This is the kind of thing I've always dreamt about.

Happy Birthday, Sonic the Hedgehog. And Happy 20th Anniversary to every Sonic fan- old, new, or new new. Please enjoy Sonic Generations as much as we enjoyed making it happen.

I may be kinda late, but i'd like to say this:From just reading this, I can tell that you put your heart into your work,making an honest effort to polish Sonic's name to it's former glory.It almost made me want to cry manly tears, as I thought of my own fond memories, dreams of working where you do, of that smalls boy you mentioned, and of my own special moment of discovering Sonic at the age of four.Many may not agree, but I can tell this was an honest effort from SEGAto please their fans. So even though we're not well acquainted, I just wanted to say, thanks man. I appreciate what you do.

I must say that it's really interesting to read this from the perspective of someone who is a huge fan (like many of us) of Sonic working for SEGA.

I actually do not have a 360 or a PS3 yet....and the DAY Sonic Generations came out I went ahead and bought it for the PS3. It was a game I knew I HAD to have and I couldn't contain myself. I bought the game before I bought the console (and I still don't have the console!) so, I've been taking over my BFs PS3 and playing it there. So much nostalgia in one game. I played for fives hours straight until I started to get dizzy and I was all snuggled up with my Modern Sonic plush and Classic Tails plush. As the storyline progressed I laughed at little things like when Sonic mentioned how Green Hill zone was familiar and Tails said "Hmmm not to me" XD Things like that that old Sonic fans would understand!

It's wonderful to see that you're happily working at your dream job and getting recognized for the hard work you do giving many of us more hope and inspiration than ever. I know for as long as I've loved the little blue blur, I've always been a huge fan of your artwork (you damn well know that) and it's nice to see how someone who I've known for 8 years on dA grow and develop and continuing to inspire us Sonic fans giving us all that bit of hope to help everyone else reach their dreams as well. If Dean can do it, so can I, and so can everyone else

That's really sweet to hear man, lovely to see that such a rare treat you were given with not only having such a job, but the privilege of working on a title that allowed you to reminisce all those years of being around the blue blur.

But you did forget one important note about being a tester on Generations?

You forgot to mention that it allowed for you to be a smug bastard and obtain every single achievement in less than a dayXD I know that hard work and practice pays off man, but that's just mean. At least gives us a walkthrough to the red star ring achievement>_<

I haven't been a fan since the early days, nor a recent one either... the time that Sonic Riders came out was my first video game. I was a bit of a fan before that, but i would have never thought of being this big of a fan. That blue hedgehog has influinced my life. Then i started to draw more often. After that i gathered as many games as i could. Now after i beat a game, i replay the levels, doing better everytime. Then sometimes ill stop to enjoy the games sceanery and just enjoy Sonic's world, just like you described. Theres not anything anyone could say in the world to get me to forget about Sonic.

I've been a fan since the good old days and I totally agree with everything you've said here. Sonic Generations was definitely a huge step back into the past and another great run through to the future. Man, I was fanboyin' the whole time!

I'll admit, there are some flaws in Generations I've found...But not many. Mainly a control problem here, and issue there, but nothing to stop me from playing. The biggest peeve I've got is the way Shadow was acting, and even then I've come up with a theory to explain it.

This game is wonderful. I don't know if you are a part of Sonic Team or not, but I do hope that maybe, one day, I'll be able to help write the stories that go behind the games. I have so many ideas that I'm frantic to see them come alive (but college comes first), but my lack of drawing skills really hit hard.

I can only imagine how satisfying it is to see your ideas become reality, and to have others enjoy it too <3

I would buy it if there was a Wii version, but according to an old Nintendo Power Review, they said they needed to remake Sonic in "High Quality definition" only, and the Wii is not a system with 1080p video. And I'm not buying it for a 3DS.

I really wish I had an Xbox or PS3 just so I could play this game. It sounds like you and your co-workers put a lot of time and effort into it. I literally have a nerd spazz every time I see a commercial for it.

That's not the point, though...

What I'd really like to thank you for is the time you put into writing this. I don't think all the people who "hate" Sonic games nowadays truly understand how much hard work the Sonic Team and people like you put into their franchise. Your writing is so inspirational.

Great story. I, too, was a huge Sonic fan when I was young. I still remember when I played Sonic 3 for the first time way back in 1999. Sonic, Crash, and Rayman got me through a lot when I was little (and Mario and Kirby too, but that was later into my childhood). They felt like friends to me.

But ever since 2004, the Sonic franchise started going downhill. Sure, there were a few good games during the 2004-2009 period (Sonic Rush 1 and 2, and Sonic Rivals 2), but most of them ranged from mediocre to downright HORRIBLE. But recently, it seems Sonic has been getting good again, and I'm glad. I have Sonic Colors on my DS and I love it, and I'm going to get Sonic Generations soon because I played the demo and adored it. I can tell that it's going to be an excellent game. I'm so glad you got to work on and test this game.

I'm 17 and I still love Sonic, Crash, Mario, Kirby, and Rayman. People can call me childish all they want, I don't care.

BTW, the part where you were talking about the small child playing the game made me tear up. It was so sweet.

He is more than a charcacter he is a way of life. I lost a large chunk of my childhood to him and his adventures and still get filled with nostalgia and that childlike innocent happiness every time I hear the BGM of the Star Light Zone, or the sound of the Ice Cap. Even thinking about the moment when Sonic has taken down Metal Sonic then destroyed Robotnik's giant robot inside the Death Egg only to have to leap to his 'demise' whilst Tails watches on from the ground brings tears to my eyes.

Thank you for writing this. It showed me that I'm not only one that thinks Sonic is just another video game character. He is an icon that has helped me through the toughest times, but also made me mad by the tough stages. Then you beat the level and go through another fun stage. Sonic is like family because you hate and love at times, and Sonic fans were going through a hateful time. Now that Sonic Generations is out, people are loving him again. I thank you for helping making this game as great as it is. I hope you continue working with SEGA and helping them make more great games.

I have yet to get Sonic Generations, but I can already tell by some pics that it is good.

Heh, Sonic 2 was my first Sonic game that I played when I was about 5 (I did have Sonic 1, but that Orange-yellow fox on the cover art of 2 made me play it first. XD) and when I got to the second level, the Chemical Plant zone.....stage 2 realllllllllly did my head in that time. Always got stuck near the end and eather- Drowned or fell to the bottom of the stage and died... and the drowning music..... heh, don't get me started on that.

Although, I have missed out on most Sonic games such as Adventure and others, I did manage to get a hold Sonic Rush(and Rush Adventure) and Colours reasently. And im still lovin the games today..... Old or new, they never leave your mind if you loved the series.

OMG.That was really inspiring, amazing, beautiful Seriously, my day was the worst, ever. But this... Made me remember that I can follow my dreams, and made me believe again, thank you!

And, I forgot to subscribe you in the last time I saw your amazing works, so I wouldn't have seen this journa, so, I never thought I'd say it, but this new dA Idea of putting journal ideas can be good after all, there's much more to be seen there than lulz's annoying articles after all xD

Anyway, back at Sonic, well, this little blue Hedgehog made my childhood. Until today, I'm a huge fan. It is one of the most epic franchises ever, and you have truly captured how incredible it feels!

Thank you, a lot. Everywhere, online and offline, all I see are people complaining about everything, thank you for making me see the good things again, seriously. I needed this. I've played Sonic the Hedgehog a thousand times, and I also like the new games that most people hate, and my favourite character is even Shadow! So I'm a fan of the classic and the new, and generations truly captured everything I wanted.

I could never thank you enough for this. For working on this perfect game, being such a fan of the series, and for making this amazingly inspirational Journal. My dream is to, one day, work at Square Enix, and you made me believe in myself again.

This is the most beautiful thing I ever heard about sonic!!! (sniff) And I feel the same way... I'm with Sonic, it's not his fault about all that games that "sucked" of new generation. Sonic is a great character and I simply love all about him: stages, characters, adventure...all it's perfect for me. Reading this makes me feel so happy, I remembered how I met Sonic...He always was there but it wasn't since 1999 that I discovered that a blue hedgehog with super sonic speed was so awesome that I become his fan.

It's kinda sadly...here in my country I think that my brothers and I are the only sonic fans in all the country Everything it's Mario, Zelda and Halo...

You work on SEGA...A fan dream came true...congrats about that At least my dream related with SEGA is go to all sonic anniversary parties (like sonic boom and all of that)

I've been interested in Sonic Generations for a bit now, (I've been updating my list of video games I want recently) and this heartfelt journal definitely sealed the deal. I'm definitely going to pick it up! I'll probably wait till I can get it used though... I'm so cheap. XD

In all honesty I thought I would see more well written and more thought out responses then "DOOD YOU WORK FOR SEGA?!"

I have to admit Li~ when I first picked up Generations after being bombarded with homework assignments coming home from school and going to Gamestop to pick up my copy...I didn't know what to expect when I turned on my Playstation 3 and started to play the game for myself. I was actually scared, but in a good way. I've been keeping track from the first tease trailer to your journals, threads etc. So on and so forth. I felt my entire weight of being a Sonic The Hedgehog fan rested on this game, and that if it failed it would be over.

As you know or I hope you do, I wanted to keep myself away from this game as much as possible. Others may have wanted to spoil themselves constantly with every new stage reveal. But to me this game was something special, it wasn't your typical Street Fighter 4 Turbo Hyper Max Edition. It was THE Sonic game.

I had also put a fair bit of trust into you knowing that you were the one working on it, or testing it should I say, to make it the best it can be. I must congratulate you because you have done a job well done.

As this child mentioned in your journal I also have a bit of that going on in my home and that person is my nephew, I can already tell he is a Sonic fan. When I play SSBB, he goes to the TV and literally points to Sonic XD, every single match. He has a number of Sonic games and he is already loving Generations, and the best part is that he is only 3 starting already just like I did.

I love this game with all of my Sonic fantard weirdo heart I wouldn't want this game any other way and I am SO F****** GLAD THAT I BOUGHT IT. Thank you Li and the entire team of SEGA!

(Shame I don't own any of the consoles it's on.)Y'know, after seeing some people unsatisfied with the game, (I guess some won't be satisfied no matter what when it comes to "Sonic") this is very refreshing, and a nice read. It's nice to get some insight on the game from the "inside" of Sega, so to speak. It's also given me hope for the game and the Sonic series in general to. It's nice to see some who are still passionate about it.

People and critics can say whatever they want about Sonic, or the controversial directions the series have taken, but he'll forever be a major gaming icon and mascot to me regardless.I may not love every Sonic game, (and I may be a bit more partial to the plumber, so to speak) but I still adore the blue-blur, and I'm glad he's still around, and makin' games, and comic books to this very day. I hope he still does 20 years from now, as well.

Wow... That's like my childhood dream come true, being able to test out a Sonic game and get paid doing it. And for such an amazing game at that! You're very lucky indeed!

That part when you said how you saw the child play Sonic for the first time and really enjoying it made my eyes water. There's been a couple of occasions recently where I've passed little kids wearing Sonic t-shirts that really makes me smile~ Reminds me of my younger days playing Sonic with my cousin almost every day. I can't believe it's been 20 years already since we first got hooked!

I really love everyone at Sega who worked on Generations. I could just tell that they put in so much love into this game, it really came through perfectly! SO impressed!

I hope my future kids can enjoy amazing new Sonic games such as this when they're growing up too.

OMG i'm crying like a baby right now. This was just so beautiful and inspiring. I haven't gotten the game yet, and probably wont for a while due to lack of money, but when I do finally get to play this game, I am gonna be thinking of all the wonderful times I had playing Sonic games growing up, and think of all the hard work you guys have put into this game. From the bottom of all our hearts, thank you!

Every one of those paragraphs is just, beautiful. Even reading about the Classic games brings back wonderful memories of my childhood when I had the opportunity to give it a go (sorry, but I kind of forgotten about the title of the game itself , but I do remember that it has a Green Hill Zone).I haven't the chance to get Sonic Generations yet, but, I do hope that fans of the old and new (or both) get to come together to praise how great the game is (and try their best to find any glitches to be fixed ).

Sonic, let your games continue to bring out laughter and fun from anyone who gives your games a go (but I don't support all of your games, to be honest ).

I've probably read this journal over 5 or even 6 times now. I feel moved into tears by how much love there is into Sonic now. Ever since I was just a young child, around the age 2.. My mother had influenced me into playing Sonic and ever since then I could never stop playing. My life was always about Sonic and I too have always dreamed about how Sonic's world would look in real life. When I first heard about Sonic Generations, I thought it was a joke. But when I actually got to play the game and even the demos itself, I literally almost cried in tears. Almost every memorable moments I've had with Sonic since the Classics to now have just flew back into my head. I even cried remembering the time I struggled to get Sonic 3 and Knuckles as a child, but when I got in on Christmas for the Genesis that day as a young girl.. All I could see was that one girl who was over joyous to have gotten that game, regardless the struggles in their life.

I've had issues as being as a Sonic fan though. Where ever I went people would make fun of me that I was practically in love with Sonic. Remembering the time after Sonic Adventure 2, people would put down Sonic saying he'll never come back like the Classics. That's when I knew the community was losing it, but I knew inside Sonic was still there. Being that blue hedgehog with that attitude we always loved and enjoyed, he was always alive and kicking. I knew one day Sonic will bring back all the fans together. Not to argue over which gameplay was best or why this game was great and why this game was good. But to see Sonic Generations and how many people from fans new, old, or even just now.. Actually see them come together as not just fans, but almost like a great supporting community.

Sonic Generations has defiantly made me cry in happy tears. And for you, =syaming-li.. Thank you for the great and inspiring read of this journal. It has made me feel so proud to be a Sonic fan. I'm so happy to see something like this. To see the loving fans of Sonic himself! I feel my dreams to work with SEGA may actually come true too, for that is my life long goal since I was a child.